Is it appropriate for services to send oral bowel preparation and enemas to patients through the post?

Yes, it is appropriate for services to send oral bowel preparations and enemas in the post. There must be a standard operating procedure/policy in place supporting documentation that demonstrates that:

assessment of the patient for suitability to receive the medicine has been made

the medicine has been prescribed by an appropriate person

the patient details have been checked and double checked to ensure that the medicine is sent to the correct person

the packaging used contains the medicine safely and securely

the medicine is sent with full instruction and information on how to take it including what to do and who to contact if there is an adverse event

the individual(s) responsible for administering the medicine (that is, packaging and sending) has received appropriate training to undertake the checks as highlighted above